Analysis of Closing Odds, Score Projections, and Betting Splits for the Montana vs Wisconsin Matchup

• The #14 Montana Grizzlies are in tough against the #3 Wisconsin Badgers
• Wisconsin opened as a 16.5-point ATS and -2400 moneyline favorite
• See the closing Montana vs Wisconsin odds, plus score predictions and betting splits for March 20

The third game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s first round will feature the #14 Montana Grizzlies (25-9, 17-11-3 ATS) facing the #3 Wisconsin Badgers (26-9, 22-13 ATS) at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, at 1:30 pm ET. The Montana vs Wisconsin spread opened with the Badgers as 16.5-point favorites and, while that hasn’t moved at all, the moneyline and total have shifted pretty considerably due to heavy betting action on two sides of the lines.

Closing Montana vs Wisconsin Odds

The spread, as mentioned, is still Wisconsin -16.5 with -110 odds each way, but the Badger moneyline has moved from -2400 to -1800, while the Montana moneyline has come down from +1200 to +900. The game total has shown an even bigger shift; after opening at just 49.5, it’s now four points higher at 153.5.

Odds as of March 20 at ESPN Bet. Lock in an ESPN Bet promo for March Madness.

The movement has obviously been motivated by the money. The table below shows the Montana/Wisconsin betting splits two hours before tip-off.

Montana vs Wisconsin Public Betting Splits

As of 11:33 am ET on Thursday, the Grizzlies were getting 82% of moneyline handle on just 11% of the bets. That means some huge money is on Montana to win, at least compared to the average moneyline wager on the Badgers.

Similarly, when it comes to the total, the March Madness public betting splits show 81% of handle on the over on 76% of the tickets.

The ATS splits are not nearly so lopsided. Montana is still getting the majority of the money, but at just 58%/42%, it’s not terribly surprising that the closing spread is identical to the opening spread.

What does make the odds movement somewhat surprising is that, according to the three main analytics sites, the Badgers are actually being undervalued as a 16.5-point favorite.

Montana vs Wisconsin Projected Score

KenPom projects an 18-point Wisconsin victory while Haslam has the margin at 18.6. Torvik has it the closest with a 17-point Wisconsin victory.

These projections lend credence to the bullish over money early on. Each one has it over 149.5, while KenPom and Torvik have it at 152 and 153, respectively.

The upcoming matchup between the Montana Grizzlies and Wisconsin Badgers is generating a lot of buzz among college basketball fans and bettors alike. As the game approaches, many are turning to closing odds, score projections, and betting splits to help inform their wagers.

Closing odds are a key indicator of how the betting market views the game. In the case of the Montana vs Wisconsin matchup, the closing odds may fluctuate leading up to tip-off based on factors such as injuries, recent performance, and public perception. Bettors can use these closing odds to gauge the strength of each team and make more informed decisions when placing their bets.

Score projections are another valuable tool for bettors looking to gain an edge. By analyzing historical data, team statistics, and other relevant factors, experts can generate projections for the final score of the game. These projections can help bettors identify potential value in betting on the over/under or point spread.

Betting splits provide insight into how the betting public is wagering on the game. By tracking the percentage of bets placed on each team, bettors can see where the public money is flowing and potentially spot opportunities to fade the public or capitalize on contrarian betting strategies.

In the case of the Montana vs Wisconsin matchup, bettors may find that the closing odds favor Wisconsin as the favorite, with a projected final score indicating a close game. Betting splits may show a majority of bets coming in on Wisconsin, but savvy bettors may see value in taking a contrarian approach and backing the underdog Montana Grizzlies.

As with any sports wager, it’s important for bettors to do their own research and analysis before placing a bet. By considering closing odds, score projections, and betting splits, bettors can make more informed decisions and increase their chances of success in the unpredictable world of sports betting.